Washing machine means for elevating clothes therein



yv19, 1936. A. J. GEORGILAS WASHING MACHINE MEANS FOR ELEVATING CLOTHES THEREIN Filed Feb. 15, 1935 W 22/22 6, of/72y.

Patented May 19, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE WASHING MACHINE MEANS FOR ELEVAT- ING CLOTHES THEREIN 9 Claims.

This invention concerns improvement in washing machines generally, but has special reference to an improvement whereby when it is desired to remove a certain particle, or particles of clothing from the washing machine, the drum containing the clothes may be quickly and easily drawn to the top of the machine by the operator thereof, thereby exposing all particles of clothing so that any part thereof may be removed without the necessity of the operator of the machine reaching far into the same for this purpose, and as is customary in the old methods of machines of this type.

One of the objects of this invention is to provide an inexpensive and compact mechanical unit which is adapted to be coordinated with the clothes-agitating drum of the washing machine, and particularly in a manner so as to avoid interfering with the operating mechanism of the machine.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become readily apparent during the course of the following detailed description, illustrated throughout the accompanying drawing, and more fully pointed out in the subjoined claims.

With reference to the drawing:

Figure 1 is a sectional View of the clothes-agitating drum of a washing machine, with the invention in connection therewith, and shown in a normally lowered position of said drum.

Figure 2 is a similar view to that of Figure 1, but showing the drum in a somewhat elevated position.

Figure 3 is a greatly enlarged view of the washing machine agitator shaft, with the invention associated therewith and broken as indicated.

Figure 4 is a plan sectional view taken directly upon line 4-4 of Figure 3.

Figure 5 is a view of the top portion of the washing machine agitator shaft, and showing how the device is dropped to the side when said shaft is in the position of its highest point relative to the machine.

Figure 6 is an upwardly deflected section taken upon line 6-6 of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is a horizontal view of the upper portion of the washing machine agitator shaft, showing one of the recesses provided upon each side thereof.

In presenting herewith my invention, it is to be understood that certain elements of the washing machine not a part of the invention will be designated by consecutive letters of the alphabet, while the invention proper will be characterized by the customary reference numerals.

The invention comprises principal U member I, and having lug 2 upon each of the lower ends thereof, and said lugs being adapted to detachably engage respective apertures within sleeve member A of the washing machine. This is the 5 means by which the device is attached to the machine.

It is understood that vertically disposed shaft B is associated with the agitator unit of the washing machine, which comprises vertically inclined 10 radial blades C that are secured to base D, all of which are arranged as indicated within drum E, also cover F being for said drum.

An important feature of the invention is the simple manner in which shaft B is modified so that the invention may be coordinated with same, and this is accomplished by the act of machining elongated semi-circular recess 3 within each side of the shaft and extending from the position thereupon at lugs 2, continuously to the extreme top end of the shaft. The purpose of said recesses is to slidably receive U member I in the manner as prescribed.

U member I being permanently fixed with agitator sleeve member A, and the latter member being secured to base D, it is therefore clearly understood that the entire agitator unit may be elevated within drum E sufiiciently so as to bring the clothes near or to the top of the drum so as to facilitate the removal of the clothes therein or part thereof, by the operator of the machine at his command.

When the agitator with the clothes therein is elevated, an improved method for locking the agitator in any predetermined elevated position is employed, and consists of swivel member 4, preferably designed as indicated in Figure 4, and in Figure 3 it is clearly observed that thumb actuator 5 is provided and is permanently fixed with swivel member 4, and also has depending shank 6 formed thereon, and said shank is adapted to engage an aperture provided within plate 1 in a manner so as to admit of the free swlvelling motion of member 4 relative to plate I. Said plate is detachably secured to the top end of shaft B by screws 8 where shown. Member 4 is first connected to plate I and cotter 9 inserted in shank 6, thence plate I is secured to said shaft by screws 8 as explained, in the assembling of said elements to shaft B. Counterbored recess I0 is provided within shaft B where shown so as to accommodate the free action of shank 6.

It being understood from previous explanation that member 4 is adapted to swivel upon shaft B, and in Figure 4 it is observed that said member is provided with hooks 4A and 43 respectively and in opposed relation. Also U member I is provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced notches I I so that at any desired elevation of the agitator upon shaft B, member I may be effectively locked in this position, and by the simple turning of member 4 sufiiciently until hooks 4A and 4B thereon engage notches I I, as clearly indicated in Figure 4. It is ,further' seen inithis .view that the normal position of member 4 is indicated by the dotted lines therein, and as being inoperative.

A very desirable feature of the invention is the method employed for deflecting member I to the position as shown in Figure 5. "For this purpose said member will clear the wringer of the washing machine, and be otherwise cutofwthe way when the agitator is elevated to the extreme top of drum E.

This is effected by providing a pair ofelongated members I2, which have a round body similar to thatof member 'I, and-are adapted to engage recesses 3 respectively, and being permanently retained in this position by lugs 2. Said lugs engage similar formed apertures within sleeve A as shown. The ends of member I pivotallyengage the top end of members I2 by virtue of studs I3 where shown.

*It-is'understoodthat when member I is dropped to the side as in Figure 5, the agitator may be locked in 'this elevated position, similar to the manner-of lockingmember I in any predetermined position. This is made possible because of the fact that members I'2 are each provided with a notch similar to notches II, so that hooks 4A and 4'B'of member 4 may engage the first-named notches for this purpose.

'Whilenota direct part-of my invention, I-would suggest-as an improvement and so as to facilitate removing theclothes from drum E, that flexible rubber band G be provided, andof the formation and where indicated in Figure 1. The purpose of band G is 'to prevent particles of clothing from becoming lodged between the agitator and drum E:during the operation of the washing machine, and 'therebyin this condition rendering such particles difficult to remove from the water in the machine.

Aperture I4 is provided where indicated in member I so as to receive the end of a'hook or the like, butsaid hook is'not shown-in the drawing. The purpose of said hook is that in the event member I becomes too hot to contact by the hand, the hook-may be readily applied without the necessity-of injuring-the fingers by burn, when said member elevated for the purpose previously described.

While I have-shown the preferred embodiment of the invention, it is to :bezunderstood that various'changes in the size, shape and arrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from the spirit-f the invention and the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus fully described my invention, what 'I' claim as new is-:

'1. A'washing machine including a drum, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly in the drum, an agitator slidably mounted on the shaft and rotatable therewith having a base substantially c0- extensive with the cross-sectional area of the drum, means carried by the agitator for raising and'lowering the same, and means for holding the agitator in any oneof a series of vertically adjusted positions on said shaft.

2. A washing machine including a drum, a rotatableshaftextending upwardly therein, an Jag- I tatable therewith having a base substantially coextensive with the cross-sectional area of the drum, a notched member extending upwardly from the agitator unit for raising and lowering the same, and a latch member swingably mounted on'the shaft and cooperating with the notches in the notched member for holding the agitator unit in any one of a series of vertically adjusted positions on said shaft.

4. A washing machine including a drum, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly therein, an agitator unit slidably mounted on said shaft and rotatable therewith having a base substantially coextensive with the cross-sectional area of the drum, a bail extending upwardly from the agitator unit for raising and lowering the agitator unit, and cooperating means between said unit and the shaft for holding the agitator unit in any one of a series of vertically adjusted positions on said shaft said bail being pivoted whereby it-may be swung laterally and outwardly from the drum when the agitator unit is in its fully raised position so as not to interfere with removal of articles from the machine.

5. A washing machine including a drum, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly therein, an agitator unit slidably mounted on the shaft and rotatable therewith having a base substantially 40 coextensive with the cross-sectional area of the drum, a sleeve included in said agitator unit, an inverted U-shaped bail extending over the top of the shaft and downwardly along the opposite sides of the shaft the ends of the arms of the i455 inverted U-shaped bail being connected to the sleeve whereby the agitator unit may be raised and lowered, and cooperating means between the top of the shaft and the arms of the inverted U-shaped bail for holding the agitator unit in any one of a series of vertically adjusted positions on said shaft.

6. A washing machine including a drum, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly therein, an agitator unit slidably mounted on the shaft and rotatable therewith having a base substantially coextensive with the cross-sectional area of the drum, a sleeve included in said agitator unit, an inverted U-shaped bail extending over the top of the shaft and downwardly along the opposite sides of the shaftthe ends of the arms of the inverted 'U-shaped bail being connected to the sleeve whereby the agitator unit may be raised and lowered, the arms of the inverted U-shaped bail being formed with vertically spaced notches, and a latch mounted on the upper end of the shaft for selective engagement with the respective notches for locking the inverted U-shaped bail and theagitator unit in any one of a series of vertically adjusted positions on said shaft.

7. A washing machine including a drum, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly therein, an agitator unit including a sleeve slidably mounted on the shaft and rotatable therewith having a base substantially coextensive with the crosssectional area of the drum, a pair of members extending on opposite sides of the shaft, and connected at their lower ends to the sleeve, an inverted U-shaped bail straddling the top and sides of the shaft the lower ends of the arms of said bail being pivotally connected to the upper ends of the respective members whereby the ball may be swung laterally and outwardly of the drum when the agitator unit is in a fully raised position so as not to interfere with removal of articles from the machine, the bail forming a handle for raising and lowering the agitator unit and cooperative means between the shaft and the arms of the bail for holding the agitator unit in any predetermined one of a series of vertically adjusted positions on said shaft.

8. A washing machine including a drum, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly therein, an agitator unit including a sleeve slidably mounted on the shaft and rotatable therewith having a base substantially coextensive with the crosssectional area of the drum, a pair of members extending on opposite sides of the shaft, and connected at their lower ends to the sleeve, an inverted U-shaped bail straddling the top and sides of the shaft and lower ends of the arms of said bail being pivotally connected to the upper ends of the respective members whereby the bail may be swung laterally and outwardly of the drum when the agitator unit is in a fully raised position so as not to interfere with the removal of articles from the machine, the bail forming a handle for raising and lowering the agitator unit, cooperative means between the shaft and the arms of the bail for holding the agitator unit in any vertically adjusted position, said members being provided with means for cooperation with the aforementioned means on the shaft for locking the agitator unit in its uppermost position when the bail is in a laterally disposed position.

9. A washing machine including a drum, a rotatable shaft extending upwardly therein, an agitator unit including a sleeve slidably mounted on the shaft and rotatable therewith, a pair of members extending on opposite sides of the shaft, and connected at their lower ends to the sleeve, an inverted U-shaped bail straddling the top and sides of the shaft and lower ends of the arms of said ball being pivotally connected to the upper ends of the respective members whereby the bail may be swung laterally and outwardly of the drum when the agitator unit is in a fully raised position, the bail forming a handle for raising and lowering the agitator unit so as not to interfere with removal of articles from machine.

ANTHONY J. GEORGILAS. 

